Safety lock for refrigerators and the like



Sept. 22, 1959 R. A. ANDERSON SAFETY LOCK FOR REFRIGERATORS AND THELIKE Filed Sept. 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 $55270 Sept. 22, 1959 R. A. ANDERSON SAFETY LOCK FOR REFRIGERATORS AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 5, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 the character stated that United States Patent SAFETY LOCK FOR REFRIGERATORS AND LIKE Robert A. Anderson, Mountain View, Alaska A plication September 5, 1958, Serial No. 759,187

9 Claims. 01. "70-48) This invention relates to a locking device adapted for application to a conventional refrigerator, food locker, freezer chest, or similar container. More specifically, the invention has reference to a s'a'fetyfl0ck of the character described that will .be designed to be swiftly and easily positioned in locking relation to a container of thetype described, to prevent opening of the refrigerator or other container. I i

Refrigerators, ice boxes, and the like are most generally provided with a'handle, but not with alock. This is not true, of course, in every instance. Nevertheless, a great number of refrigerators, particularly almost all refrigerators and freezersin general use in the home, are not e uipped with locks.

Man-y fatal accidents have occurred when children have hidden in refrigerators or ice boxes, and have closed the doors thereof upon themselves. The present invention, accordingly, as one important object thereof, aims to preclude jsuch accidents, through the provision of a locking "device that will be tamper-proof, and will completel-y prevent opening of the door of the refrigerator.

Another object is to provide a locking device "of the character stated which will not require any modification or redesign of the refrigeratorbr other container 'to which it is applied.

Another object is to' rovide a locking device as stated that will *be applicable to 'a refrigerator with a minimum amount bf diihculty.

Another object is to provide a safety lock of the oharaoter'stated which will :be readily unlocked by one possessingthe'k'ey to the locking devic'e, to permit normal use 1 of the "refrigerator.

Another object ris do provide a safety locking device which will have utility "not only in preventing accidents to children, butalso', will :permit the l'oc'king of re'frigerators that are in exposed locations, where the contents thereof can be readily stolen. This is true, "for example, in 'many instances in which refrigerators are kept on porches, =in iapartment house basements, storage rooms, etc;

Another "object -of importance is to provide a device of the type described which will represent a minimum projection outwardly from :the wall of the refrigerator or other eontai'ner.

Still another object 'is to [provide-a tlocking devi'ce for refrigerators and sirrlilavcontainers, 'that will 'be swiftly formed to 'fit the;perimeter of the particular device to which it is applied, despite wide variations in fthesizes of I such devices.

Still another object is to provide -a looking device 0f will -be tampenproof, =in the sense 'that it cannot he removed why an unauthorized individual, without suchextensive-difiiculty soifar as wsaidtin- .dividual is concernedas -to offer -a ,strong deterent to its being removed by anyoneexcept an authorizedperson.

Other objects will appear from the following description, the claims appended thereto, and from'the annexed Patented Sept. 22, 1959 t 2 drawing in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a refrigerator from the front, to which has been applied a locking device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the refrigerator with the device applied thereto;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary rear elevational view of the refrigerator with the device applied thereto;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device, substantially on line 4+4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional ViBW through the device on line 5-5 of Figure '4;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of. Figure .3;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on line 7--7 of .FigureB; i

Figure 8 is a View of the device as seen from the line 88 of Figure 3.;

Figure 9 ,is. a perspective view of the back plate of the device; and i s Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of .a .sliding locking plate of the;.device.

Referring to the drawing in detail, generally .designated 10 is a conventional refrigerator, comprising the usual body portion '14 to which is connected a hinged front door 16 adapted to be opened by operation of the handle 18.

Applied to the back wall '20 of .the refrigerator is the housing ofthe locking device 12 constituting ithe present invention. As aresult, the housing is in an out-of-theway location, and in fact, when the. locking device is not in use, said housing will not be visible to the casual viewer so as not to detract from the appearance .of the refrigerator.

The invention includes :a backing. or base plate 24,, which is secured to the *backwall 20, at one corner of the refrigerator, by means of screws 26 spaced transversely of the backirlgplate adj'acent one end thereof. .As will presently appear, otherscrews are employed in spaced relation to the screws 26,10 connect .the backing .plate to the back wall 20, but these serve ,an additional purpose, and accordingly will 'be described in greater detail hereinafter. k r h In any event, the backing plate posite ends thereof with outwardly 28, 30 respectively, having transverse slots 32, 34 registered in a direction longitudinally of the backing plate forithe'purpose of reciving a straight locking bar that is to he described in full detail hereinafter. iA cover pIa'te ZZof the device 'is provided, which completely covers the backing plate when the device .is in use, as will be re'adily noted from "Figure 4 and from Figure '5. The oover plate 22, as will be noted, is of rectangular configuration, having acontinuous peripheral wall'extending into contact with the back wall 20 of the refrigerator.

=Dosignated tat40 is aclamping plate, having spaced openings receiving connecting-screws 42 that extend into the back twalli20. Fhel'conneeting plate 40, at opposite ends, has arcliateclamping portions 44 adapted to overlie portions ;of ia1cable 46, which-can -be either a wire ropeiorta :steel'cable. The cable =46 constitutes a flexibleielementtloopedrat one :end :as at '48, with spaced portions of -.the loop \eXtending-umder the tpOI'tllOI1S-4-4 of the clamping plate.

iDesignatedat .50 :lS a protective :s'heath for ithe cable, which :is applied thereto for .the :Purposeeof :preventing the cable from rnarring -the finish 'of the container 10. Obviously, the sheath lean -.be :any .of various materials, and win .a preferred embodiment might be :of a flexible 241is formed at opprdjecting end .walls plastic, cloth, etc,

Designated at 54 is a locking plate, which at one end is crimped as at 55 about the cable, and thereafter welded at the crimped end so as to be permanently connected to the cable. The other end of the locking plate is widened, and is slotted to receive one end portion of an elongated locking bar 56, having at said end an opening 58 (Figure 5) receiving the hasp of a padlock 6t} conveniently accessible either from the back or from the side of the refrigerator. At its other end, locking bar 56 is formed with a rearwardly projecting extension 62, formed with an opening 63 through which the cable extends, the cable being thereafter projected through opening 38 formed in end wall 28 of backing plate 24.

Formed in the wall of cover plate 22, at the end of the cover plate adjacent the angular extension 62 of the locking bar 56, is a slot 64, to permit the cover plate to be applied in position over the flexible element or cable 46.

In useof the device, and assuming that it is being installed upon a refrigerator, as a first step the backing plate 24 is secured to the refrigerator by the screws 26. Then, the cable '46, with the locking bar already connected to one end thereof, is cut to a proper length to permit it to extend snugly about 'the refrigerator.

The cut end is then inserted through opening 38 of the backing or base plate. The loop 48 is then formed, and the cable is secured to the backing plate by means of a clamping plate 40, which is now connected to the backing plate by means of the screws 42, said screws passing also into the back Wall 20 of the refrigerator.

Now, the cover plate 22 is positioned over the base plate. The locking bar 56, of course, was previously applied to cable 46, that is, the cut end of the cable was extended through the opening 63 of angular extension 62 'of the locking bar 56, before the cable was extended through opening 38, looped, and secured to the base plate. The locking bar is now extended through the slots 36, 32, 34, 36 in a direction from left to right in Figure 4, so as to project at its right hand end, viewing the same as in this figure of the drawing, beyond the cover plate. The cover plate has a slot 64, adapted to receive a screw 66. Screw 66 is extended through slot 64 and is engaged in the locking bar 56 though not being turned up tight at this time.

Covering 50, of course, is applied to the exteriorly exposed portions of the cable, to prevent chafing of the finish of the refrigerator. Referring to Figure 2, a clip 52 is applied to the refrigerator, in spaced relation to the housing, to hold the cable against downward movement at the location of said clip 52.

The cable is now pulled about the entire perimeter of the refrigerator, and may extend through the handle 18. The locking plate 54 would previously have been applied to the cable, at the time of manufacture of the device, and is positioned over the projecting end of locking bar 56. Thereafter, the hasp of the padlock is extended through the opening 58.

The device is now firmly secured, and as will be noted, all the parts are effectively interlocking one with another. Base plate 24 holds the locking bar 56, the locking bar being prevented from endwise movement'out the slots 32, 34 due to the angular extension 62 on one end of the locking bar, and due to the padlock at the other end thereof. The locking bar in turn holds the cover plate applied in position. The cover plate completely encloses the base plate, to prevent ones tampering with the device and removing the same or loosening the cable. Further, the entire device is in an out-of-the-way location. If, for example, one were to desire to remove the locking means, he need only unlock the padlock, and remove the same after which the entire device is freed for separation of the interengaged component parts thereof.

the locking bar to slide back, that is, to the left in Figure 4 to the dotted line position thereof shown in this figure of the drawing, when the locking bar is not in its locked position shown in full lines in this figure of the drawing. In this way, the locking bar will not extend in projecting position at the right hand end thereof viewing the same as in Figures 4 and 5 in these particular circumstances, so that ones clothing will not be snagged thereon. Further, the device would have a neater appearance at this time.

It is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles it being considered that the invention comprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and having end openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extending through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its end through which the locking bar extends, the other end of the looking bar having an opening; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock extending through said opening of the locking bar adjacent the locking plate so as to limit the locking bar against movement in an opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate.

2. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising a backing plate adapted for fixed con nection to said container and formed at its ends with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extending through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its end through which the locking bar extends, the other end of the locking bar having an opening; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock extending through said opening of the locking bar adjacent the locking plate so as to limit the locking bar against movement in an opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate.

3. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its ends with end walls having openings; :1 flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with The purpose of the slot 64 and screw 66 is to permit the lopking plate.

4. A device to prevent unauthorized opening ofa container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connecting is. a d s tai st an termed, at its en with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said' ba'cking plate at a-loc'ation between the and al s and: dapted it! q tsitq t Said se er; leaking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end-limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement inaone. direction relative! to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar having an opening receiving the flexible element.

5. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its ends With end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end Walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a looking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar being in the form of an angular extension of the locking bar.

6. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its end-s with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar being in the form of an angular extension of the locking bar, said extension of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the locking plate.

7. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its ends with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a locking ISO bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; appver plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends,-the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end ofithe locking barhaving an, opening, said other end of the 'locking bar projecting exteripply of? the cotter plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar being in the form of an angular extension of the locking bar, said extension of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the locking plate, said extension of the locking bar having an opening through which the flexible element projects.

8. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its ends with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end Walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; and a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar being in the form of an angular extension of the locking bar, said extension of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the locking plate, said extension of the locking bar having an opening through which the flexible element projects, the cover plate being in the form of a flat member having a peripheral wall, said openings of the cover plate being formed in said peripheral wall thereof, the peripheral wall extending fully about the backing plate.

9. A device to prevent unauthorized opening of a container, comprising: a backing plate adapted for fixed connection to said container and formed at its ends with end walls having openings; a flexible element secured at one end to said backing plate at a location between the end Walls, and adapted to encircle said container; a locking bar extendable through said openings and having an abutment at one end limiting the locking bar against longitudinal movement in one direction relative to the backing plate; a cover plate overlying the backing plate and having apertures at its ends through which the locking bar extends, the cover plate completely enclosing the backing plate, the other end of the locking bar having an opening, said other end of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate; a locking plate on the other end of the flexible element apertured to receive said other end of the locking bar; a lock having a hasp extendable through said opening of the bar adjacent the locking plate, to limit the bar against longitudinal movement in the opposite direction out of engagement with the locking plate, said abutment of the locking bar being in the form of an angular extension of the locking bar, said extension of the locking bar projecting exteriorly of the cover plate at the end thereof remote from the locking plate, said extension of the locking bar 7 8 having an opening through which the flexible element direction when thehasp is removed from the first named projects, the cover plate being in the form of a flat memopening of the locking bar. her having a peripheral wall, said openings of the cover 7 plate being formed in said peripheral wall thereof, the References Cited .in the file o this Pawnt peripheral Wall extending fully about the backing plate; 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS and a retaining element projecting from the locking bar 2,556,324 f June 12, 1951 intermediate said end walls of the backing plate, the cover plate having a slot receiving said element to limit longiv FOREIGN PATENTS tudinal movement of the locking harm the opposite a 142,257 'Austria June 25, 1935 

